CHALK & BLADE CREATIVE AUDIO

LISTEN

Chalk & Blade Demo

A selection of audio from podcasts we've made for Rough Guides, O2 Business, The Guardian, University of the Arts London & ArtAngel

WHO WE ARE

Chalk & Blade are storytellers with an ear for the unusual

Laura Sheeter spent more than ten years working for the BBC – reporting from, and living in, countries including Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and the USA.
Laura is insatiable in her hunt to find untold stories to share with listeners - many of which have been aired on the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4. She has made radio in the frozen bunker of a derelict Cold-War-era nuclear missile launch site, and while wading through the sweltering swamps of Louisiana. She has produced and reported news from the UN, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the story of the international incident sparked by a small bear sailing a chunk of ice across the Baltic Sea.
Laura is a firm believer in passing on skills to the next generation. She has taught journalism at universities in the USA, and teaches radio and podcasting to students at London College of Communication. She is also a qualified Russian to English translator.

Ruth Barnes has written and presented music doc's for BBC Radio 4. As a national BBC radio reporter she's been live from the likes of the Glastonbury festival and the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. She has presented features from as far afield as WOMAD Abu Dhabi and Tribeca Doha and reviews music for Radio 4’s Front Row. Ruth spent many years producing music programmes for the BBC World Service, including working with the legendary Charlie Gillet. She also wrote and presented features for the Radio 2 Arts Show about subjects including Samuel Beckett, Turner Contemporary and the West End. In 2006 Ruth started her own internet radio show The Other Woman, a platform to showcase new music from female artists. Ruth is an acknowledged authority on women in music - The Independent calls her a ‘Pop pioneer who knows what women want’. Ruth is also a voiceover artist, clients include The Tate, The National Gallery and BBC TV.

OUR HAPPY CLIENTS

LATEST NEWS

Do ghosts exist, and if not, why do we see them? C&B are hugely excited to announce the launch of Haunted, a new series we’re making for the US podcast network Panoply Media, and we’re proud to be their first UK commission. Haunted explores stories of everyday ghosts – ignoring headless horsemen and creaking castles, to[…]

Hooray! C&B are delighted that the series we produced for Rough Guides – The Rough Guide to Everywhere – is a winner at the Lovie Awards! The Lovie’s celebrate the best and brightest of the European Internet – judging entries from websites, online advertising, internet video, apps and podcasts, and much more – in seven different[…]

We’re excited that our podcast for TMP Worldwide has launched. Meet the darlings of employer branding with their Executive Creative Director Heather Deland – who says: I’m excited to announce that I’ve been in the studio making something special – a new podcast by TMP Worldwide that seeks out the most interesting challenges faced by our[…]

University of the Arts London launches LCC’s podcast series on design research Uncertainty Playground is a series of exhibitions, events and podcasts which consider how design can define, address and make meaning from the ambiguities and uncertainties that we currently face. As part of London Design Festival 2017 discover four exhibitions at London College of Communication that explore[…]

At C&B we’ve been shouting about getting some of our podcasts featured on the iTunes UK homepage. Anyone in the industry will know that discoverability is the biggest issue for independent podcasts. iTunes holds the key to this problem in many ways. The team there select their picks to feature every week and it leads[…]

Catch up with the latest from our new series My Career Crisis here. With topics including Creativity vs Money, My Work Is My Baby, But Help I’m Pregnant! and Life, Loss and Starting Over at 41. If you would like to come on the show for free advice from our career guidance guru Sue Ahern[…]

In March 2017, podcast host Greg Dickinson travelled to the Scottish Highlands on Rough Guides duties. While on the road, Greg spent an afternoon with eccentric deerstalker Colin Murdoch, who leads extraordinary adventures across the Reraig Forest Estate to see his red deer herd up close. Subscribe to the Rough Guides podcast now to make[…]

On The Rough Guide to Everywhere podcast (iTunes; Soundcloud), we’ve heard stories from inspiring people who have travelled the world for work, pleasure, or to sate an incredible thirst for adventure. But playwright, columnist and radio host Esther Armah says living between different countries has defined her entire identity. In this podcast episode we ask[…]

We chat to Mikey Krzyzanowski, founder of the Goma Collective. Mikey tells us about the documentary he is making on the surf schools, talks vividly about his first impressions of the favela and explains the positive impact these schools are having on the community. To ensure you don’t miss an episode, you can subscribe to[…]

There’s loads of research to show… women apply for jobs that are 90% right – they hype themselves up so there’s a lot more riding on the interview… Men are more likely to apply for jobs that are 50% right – but that will give them the skills to go on to get the job[…]

PODCAST SERVICES

You have something to say - stories to tell, news to share, or an opinion to air. There are people out there who want to hear from you, but how do you reach them? Chalk & Blade will help you bridge that gap - turning your podcasting dreams into reality. Our personalised, flexible and creative approach means we can meet your needs - whether for a regular newsy podcast bulletin, a sleek and smart discussion show, or a finely crafted long-form audio adventure.

Rough Guides

“I can’t thank Chalk and Blade enough for their help in setting up our podcast, The Rough Guide to Everywhere. From brainstorming ideas, to training the team, to hands-on studio recording and producing episodes, Ruth and Laura were always professional, fun and full of ideas. Thanks guys!” Greg Dickinson, travel editor

Jane Perrone

“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Chalk & Blade’s consultancy service to anyone who wants to make their podcast the best it can be. Ruth was just what I needed – an expert podcaster who helped me improve my own show in terms of structure, content and delivery, and increased my confidence in my performance as a presenter.” – Jane Perrone, The Guardian and presenter of On The Ledge podcast

Cultureshock Media

“Cultureshock have worked with Chalk & Blade to engage with cultural audiences across our range of clients. Ruth and Laura are a pleasure to work with, professional and fun. Fizzing with great ideas and superb execution to match.” Patrick Kelly, Managing Director

TMP Worldwide

“I had never even considered doing any audio work in my life — but the professional training Laura and Ruth gave me set me up perfectly. They built my confidence and taught me how to focus on storytelling rather than just interviewing. Their editing and scripting took so much off my hands so that all I had to do was turn up to the studio, have a nice coffee and talk nice into a microphone. And they pull no punches in coaching, so they really helped me be my best in recording. Best of all they have genuine enthusiasm for my very niche subject. Wonderful partners, highly recommended.” Heather Deland, Executive Creative Director